“The Evolving Fireground – Research-Based Tactics”

“Authors Sean Gray and P.J. Norwood’s book “The Evolving Fireground, Researched-Based Tactics” is a breath of fresh air for firefighters and the like that appreciate an educational trade book that’s current, an easy read, easily understood, and provides comprehensive fact based content regarding the latest fire science studies in modern fire dynamics and modern fire tactics.

Both Sean and P.J. have remained students of the fire service, despite their knowledge, experience, and professional achievements as fire officers and instructors. Like many firefighters, they have a thirst to know and understand today’s fire science and how to effectively apply it to today’s complex and evolving fire ground environments.

The same tactics the fire service has been operating under for decades have gone unchanged and are thought by many to be tried and true, but they were created at a different time for buildings and contents made from natural materials, and for a different kind of fire. It’s become increasingly clear that technology is changing the dynamics of the fire ground and firefighters need to consider an updated tactical playbook that includes modern tactics to mitigate modern fires.

Today’s buildings are constructed with lightweight engineered materials that include composites, synthetics, have less mass, more open floor plans and open voids, and increasingly reduced structural integrity under fire conditions. Building contents consist primarily of synthetics, which have a higher rate of heat release and cause fires to reach flashover more quickly, often becoming ventilation limited and starved for air by the time firefighters arrive on scene. Modern day fires are not like yesterday’s legacy fires, and legacy tactics are becoming less effective for today’s fires.

“The Evolving Fireground” educates in nine specific areas from Fire Behavior, Ventilation, Fire Attack, to Search and Rescue, Command, Modern Building Construction, and more. The value of learning from others is captured through case studies and by applying the evidence based information toward more effective, efficient, and safer fire operations. The book clarifies what some may believe, and confirms what is now known. It discusses technology changes that are influencing our fires and offers proven tactical options that broaden our knowledge base and offers more tactical choices to combat today’s fires like smart aggressive firefighters.

This book provides explanations and offers insight and options for the reader’s consideration, without disregarding what they know and the options some continue to believe are tried and true. The choices are still yours, but now you can make a more informed and educated decision on what tactics to use for the fire you’re on.

“The Evolving Fireground” is an investment in your training and in yourself, and is timely and relevant to today’s modern fire ground. Buy the book, you won’t be disappointed.”

Nick J. Salameh

NICK J. SALAMEH is a 36 year veteran of the fire service. He was a Fire/Emergency Medical Services Captain II and previous Training Program Manager for the Arlington County (VA) Fire Department, with which he served 31 years. He is a former Chair of the Northern Virginia Fire Departments Training Committee. Nick is a contributor to Fire Engineering Magazine www.fireengineering.com and Stop Believing Start Knowing (SBSK), https://www.facebook.com/StopBelievingStartKnowing/.

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On March 4, middle school students from a local Maryland middle school will have the opportunity to take part in the USA Science & Engineering Festival #NiftyFifty presentation by UL FSRI's "Fire Scientist" Dr. Dan Madrzykowski! They will learn about fire dynamics, fire research and fire safety through UL Xplorlabs and #CloseBeforeYouDoze.

The Nifty Fifty, a program of Science Spark, are a group of noted science and engineering professionals who fan out across the country to speak about their work and careers at various middle and high schools. Featuring some of the most inspiring role models in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, this signature program of the USA Science and Engineering Festival presents your students with the latest in green technology, engineering, human health and medicine, astronomy and space exploration, nanotechnology, computer science, and more. The Nifty Fifty program featured over 100 STEM role models and reached over 22,000 students during 2016-2018. ... See MoreSee Less

Fire Science with Dan Madrzykowski&excl; Throughout his career&comma; Dan Madrzykowski has conducted fire investigation related studies in a wide range of areas including fire fighter line of duty deaths&comma; the post-earthquake fires in Kobe&comma; Japan&comma; oil field fires in Kuwait&comma; the Station Night Club fire&comma; and the&period;&period;&period;&period;

#ThrowbackThursday to one of our previous studies, "Improving Fire Safety by Understanding the Fire Performance of Engineered Floor Systems."

Check out the research and online training available to dive deeper into this week's #TacticalTuesday episode that discussed the importance of initiating the firefight on the same level as the fire. ... See MoreSee Less

For today's #TacticalTuesday, check out this video featuring UL FSRI Advisory Board Member, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel as he discusses the importance of initiating the firefight on the same level as the fire.

The quickest way to improve conditions on the fireground is to put the fire out. This is particularly important during basement fires when firefighters can be at increased risk for a floor collapse or become caught in the exhaust portion of a flow path if they are attacking from the floor above the fire.

Many factors can play into the initial decision of where to place the first attack line, but when possible, it is best to get water directly on the fire where it is burning. This does not mean that the primary search is not a priority or that it cannot be conducted concurrently. It highlights the need to coordinate ventilation, extinguishment and search. Early fire suppression is integral to minimizing the hazard on the fireground.

Angela Bennett is the new UL FSRI Instructional Design Manager. She will support the UL FSRI team by managing course content development, instructional design and storyboard skills for online learning projects. She holds both a Bachelor's of Science and Master's of Science in Emergency Health Services and Instructional Systems Design from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Angela is a 28-year veteran of the fire and emergency services with most of her service in Western Maryland. Before joining UL FSRI, Angela spent over twenty-years on the Faculty at the University of Maryland, Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) where she most recently managed the Institute Development Section, which is responsible for the design and development of all MFRI programs. ... See MoreSee Less

YOU NEED THIS BOOK (Trust Us)

400+ PAGES. 90+ CONTRIBUTORS! 100% of the royalties from the sales of "PASS IT ON" will be donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Chief Ray Downey Scholarship Fund. CLICK ABOVE TO ORDER YOUR COPIES TODAY!